Newcastle United confirm ongoing contract talks with ‘brilliant’ star.

Newcastle United were eager to sign a new defender last summer but failed in their pursuit of Marc Guehi, despite submitting multiple bids for the Crystal Palace star.

Instead, Lloyd Kelly arrived at St James’ Park on a free transfer from Bournemouth.

However, that experiment has now ended, with Kelly joining Juventus on loan with an obligation to buy.

As a result, Eddie Howe is left with the same defensive options as last season.

While not necessarily a negative, this does mean Howe must maximize the potential of his existing squad. One key player in that mix is Emil Krafth.

The Swedish international has significantly improved since Steve Bruce’s departure, earning praise from Howe, who described him as “brilliant.”

Now, discussions to extend his stay at Newcastle are underway.

Eddie Howe Confirms Newcastle Are in Talks With Emil Krafth Over a New Contract

Krafth’s current deal expires this summer, but that may soon change. Howe has confirmed negotiations are ongoing, emphasizing his desire to retain the 30-year-old.

Speaking in Friday’s pre-match press conference, Howe said: “I believe talks are ongoing. He’s someone we want to keep.”

Given Howe’s admiration for Krafth, retaining him seems like a logical move.

Replacing him would require spending, with no certainty that a new arrival would provide the same level of reliability as a backup.

Emil Krafth Could Transition to a New Position at Newcastle

Primarily a right-back, Krafth could soon make a permanent switch to central defense.

Howe has indicated that Newcastle view him as a direct replacement for Kelly in the squad, signaling a long-term role as a center-back.

Krafth is content with his backup role at Newcastle, making this a sensible decision for all parties. At this stage, letting him leave would likely be a mistake.